Today we celebrate Veterans' Day. Trouble for me is, I am terribly conflicted about it. I start by picking as neutral an image as possible. Discussion follows below the fold.
Tuesday! A day to contemplate what Veterans' Day really means.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group gives Kossacks a safe place to check in, a daily diary where we can let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, earthquakes, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It also allows us to find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, earthquakes etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a Kosmail and ask to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
We do have a diary schedule. But, when you are ready to write that diary, either post in thread or send FloridaSNMOM a Kosmail with the date. If you need someone to fill in, ditto. FloridaSNMOM is here on and off through the day usually from around 9:30 or 10 am eastern to around 11 pm eastern.
Monday:
BadKitties
Tuesday:
ejoanna
Wednesday:
Caedy
Thursday:
art ah zen
Friday:
FloridaSNMOM
Saturday:
Most Awesome Nana
Sunday:
loggersbrat
Here are some thoughts I only want to share with you, the select few (and you know who you are) who read these Tuesday IAN Diaries.
I am conflicted about Veterans' Day (also Memorial Day, July 4th, most sporting events, and much of daily life) when some variant of "Honor the Troops", "They are the true Heroes" comes up. Why? Let's see.
For me it smacks of militarism, US "exceptionalism" nonsense, an over-broad definition of what a "hero" is--and a glorification of war. This instead of mourning and appreciating people who served in the military, war or not. And that this somehow be balanced in our national life with an appreciation for the many, not necessarily in the military, who have sacrificed their time, resources, energy, and even their health/lives for other people, in this country and in any other.
This
NOT this
And while I'm at it, less need for this
And more consistent, decent, and free health care (and job training and placement) for vets (and how about for the rest of us, too?)
I'm from a military family. I'm not "anti-military." My father was a WW2 vet and a career Air Force officer. I lived on a military base overseas when I was in high school. I applaud what the US military has done for racial integration and gender equality--although there's still a long way to go. I will never forget that the Air Force was the first place I saw people of color and women in positions of power and (at least outward) respect. That helped me--and others. I also applaud what the military has done and will and can do for humanitarian aid.
What really upsets me is the more recent glorification (since 9-11?) of the military, often by people who wouldn't be caught dead in it, nor let their children sign up. As someone commented recently here at DKos, and I paraphrase, "When they say 'Boots on the ground' they mean your boots, not theirs."
So, proper and balanced respect and mourning for the dead of the US Military. Yes.
But way less of these heartbreakers:
And PLEASE!! No need for more of these: